Differential Equations (2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

~ John Polking (Author), Al Boggess (Author), David Arnold (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Combining traditional material with a modern systems approach, this handbook provides a thorough introduction to differential equations, tempering its classic "pure math" approach with more practical applied aspects. Features up-to-date coverage of key topics such as first order equations, matrix algebra, systems, and phase plane portraits. Illustrates complex concepts through extensive detailed figures. Focuses on interpreting and solving problems through optional technology projects. For anyone interested in learning more about differential equations.

From the Back Cover

This text strikes a balance between the traditional and the modern. It covers all of the traditional material and more. It offers flexibility of use that will allow faculty at a variety of institutions to use the text. Includes a large number of graphics that display the ideas in ODEs; modeling and applications; and projects, which provide students with the opportunity to bring together much of what they have learned, including analytical, computational, and interpretative skills. Ideal for readers interested in learning about differential equations. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 656 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 edition (July 24, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131437380
• ISBN-13: 978-0131437388
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #545,128 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars lack of examples and horrible explanations make a ghastly diffE text, October 13, 2005

By	Shann Yu "Go Rice Owls!!!" (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Because the guy who initiated the project of writing the book is here at Rice, the rest of us are unlucky enough to have to use this book. If your class uses this book, prepare to go to class. All the time. That's because if you fall behind, the book does not do a good job of explaining things to you. Examples are generally vague and only apply to a few types of problems provided at the back of each section. A lot of the time, I'd find myself stumped on a problem, looking back, and realizing there was no example problem for me to get ideas from.

Yes there are lots of problems and that's good, in a way. But what's the point of having all those problems if the book never teaches you how to do them?

Furthermore, it is a poorly written book. Generally, reading through the book is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Literally speaking. You spend all that time figuring out what the authors talk about and once you figure it out, it was not even worth all that time.

So go to class. All the time. If the prof isnt that great, get yourself another workbook. I havent seen Schaum's but I'm pretty sure they'll do a better job on covering the topics than this text does.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best undergraduate text extant..., April 18, 2007

By	Phoenix Omega - See all my reviews

and I don't "do" hyperbole.

As a math instructor (and math student), I have seen texts on everything from fundamentals of math to real analysis. This book is more practical, clear, and concise than any of them.

Students will not only learn techniques to solve differential equations, they will learn the scope and limitations of each technique. A student who truly reads and absorbs this book will walk away with not only an understanding of but also a healthy skepticism toward mathematical models. The harsh realities of mathematical modeling, such as sensitive dependence on initial conditions, are emphasized rather than downplayed. In the section on motion problems, students are treated to a discussion of how solar system models have evolved. Models must adapt to explain new data. Sometimes a model can be "tweaked" at the expense of simplicity, while some models must be scrapped altogether. Scientific ideas are not gospel, but merely a description of the world as we see it today.

Unfortunately, this text is the ONLY book I have seen which truly addresses the issues described above (and that's very sad because my undergrad degree is in chemistry). Aspiring scientists and engineers need to learn intellectual flexibility as much as they need to learn facts and formulas. This book teaches both.

If the applications in this book were not so overwhelmingly excellent, I would have started this review by exalting the proofs and derivations. They too are unusually well done. The authors do an excellent job of choosing which proofs to include, and they make them as readable as humanly possible. (I hear the bitter chuckles of innumerable math students as I type the previous sentence...)

Yes, learning to read proofs IS hard. But, trust me, this book is where you want to start. First graders think adding and subtracting whole numbers is hard. They're right; for them, it is. But imagine how much harder it would be if first graders had to work with fractions!

To paraphrase Aristotle, "learning is painful". No one can make differential equations easy (why do you think scientists and engineers get paid so well?). However, the authors of this text make it as easy and pleasant as possible.

I suspect that students who disliked this book but were able to "learn" diff. eq. merely learned enough to pass the test. Students who do not take advantage of the learning opportunity provided by this book are doing themselves a serious disservice.

Take home message- buy it and make it the central element in your studies of differential equations. You will be glad you did.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTE TRASH, November 12, 2008

By	Antonio Rodriguez - See all my reviews

This textbook the WORST math textbook I have ever had to use. I was forced to use this book for my Differential Equations and Linear Algebra class at Rice, and I was horrified the first time I opened it. The explanations of the material are extremely convoluted, there are virtually NO example problems, and the problem sets are extremely hard to follow. I considered myself to be competent at math, yet I find that I struggle through this morass of a book. If your professor assigns this text, you will find yourself on Wikipedia trying to make sense of the material that should be in the textbook. Good luck to you.